In a bold move to redefine its national identity, Niger’s government has officially renamed Avenue Charles de Gaulle and several other historic sites in the capital, Niamey. This initiative aims to sever ties with the colonial past associated with France and reflects the country’s broader cultural shift following the military takeover in July 2023.
Since seizing power, the military administration has actively sought to strengthen alliances with fellow military-led governments in Burkina Faso and Mali, as well as to develop closer ties with Russia. The recent renaming ceremony, marked by the sound of marching bands, saw military officials unveil the new names, emphasizing the need to remove remnants of colonialism from public spaces.
Major Colonel Abdramane Amadou, Minister for Youth and spokesperson for the military government, remarked, “Many of our streets and avenues serve as reminders of the suffering our people experienced during colonization.” The newly renamed Avenue Djibo Bakary honors a key figure in Niger’s struggle for independence, who passed away in 1998.
Additionally, a memorial dedicated to the victims of the world wars has been updated to honor “all civilian and military victims of colonization,” signaling a significant shift in how the country acknowledges its past. This renaming initiative is particularly symbolic given the military government’s ongoing tensions with France, which it accuses of attempting to destabilize its leadership.
Following the coup, Niger expelled French military personnel involved in combating regional jihadist threats and removed the French ambassador. Furthermore, the Franco-Nigerien cultural center has been renamed after prominent Nigerien filmmaker Moustapha Alassane.
Other changes in Niamey include the replacement of a long-standing portrait of French commander Parfait-Louis Monteil with a plaque honoring Thomas Sankara, a revered leader from Burkina Faso known for his anti-imperialist stance. Sankara, often referred to as Africa’s Che Guevara, was assassinated in a coup in 1987, an event that some supporters allege involved French influence.
The Place de Francophonie has also been renamed to reflect the Alliance of Sahel States, a coalition formed in 2023 to enhance cooperation among military-led nations, all of which have faced suspensions from the International Organisation of La Francophonie following their coups.
General Assoumane Abdou Harouna, the governor of the capital region, affirmed the government’s commitment to honoring its historical figures through these renaming efforts. Oumarou Abdourahamane, president of the Niger branch of the NGO Urgences Panafricanistes, expressed support for the initiative, stating, “It is essential to eliminate the names of former colonizers from public spaces.”
In a further expression of national identity, Niger adopted a new national anthem titled “For the Honor of the Fatherland” in June 2023, shortly before the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. This anthem references the anti-colonial struggle and replaces “La Nigerienne,” composed by Maurice Albert Thiriet in 1961, shortly after the country gained independence.
